Roadpost Thrane Explorer 500 User Guide

BGAN solutions guide

Getting started with the

EXPLORER

Version 02

29.05.06

500

www.inmarsat.com/bgan

Whilst the information has been prepared b y Inmarsat in good faith, and all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure its ac curacy, Inmarsat makes no warranty or representation as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for purpose or use of the information. Inmarsat shall not be liable for any loss or dam age of any kind, including indirect or consequential loss, arising from use of th e information and all warranties and conditions, whether express or implied by statute, common law or otherwise, are hereby excluded to the extent permitted by English law. INMARSAT is a trademark of the International Mobile Satellite Organisation, Inmarsat LOGO is a trademark of

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Contents

1.0. Introduction 3

1.1. About this guide 3

1.2. Other sources of information 3

1.3. Upgrading software 3

2.0.

Introducing the terminal 4

2.1. Physical characteristics 4

2.2. Interfaces 4

2.3. Services 4

3.0.

Setting up the terminal 5

3.1. Installing BGAN LaunchPad 6

3.2. Installing the SIM card and battery 6

3.3. Powering on and charging the battery 7

3.4. Obtaining a GPS fix 8

3.5. Connecting the terminal to your computer 9

3.6. Registering with the network 13

4.0.

Making voice, data and text connections 16

4.1. Making an analog handset or fax connection 16

4.2. Making an IP Data Connection 17

4.3. Making a Bluetooth connection 26

4.4. Making an ISDN data connection 29

4.5. Sending or receiving a text message 29

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1.0. Introduction

1.1. About this guide

This document introduces the EXPLORER 500 terminal, and explains how to set up the terminal for use on the BGAN network, register with the network, and set up data, voice and text connections.

It is intended for first time end-users, Distribution Partners, Service Providers and anyone who wants to use a BGAN terminal to connect to the BGAN network and use network services. A previous knowledge of satellite communications is useful, but not essential.

The sections include:

• Introducing the terminal – a brief overview of the physical features and interfaces of the terminal, and of the available services.

• Setting up the terminal – includes installing the battery and SIM card, connecting to a computer and registering with the network

• Making voice, data and text connections – an explanation of how to make a voice call, how to make IP data connections or an ISDN data connection, how to set up and open Bluetooth connections, and how to send and receive a text message.

1.2. Other sources of information

• This is one of a series of PDF documents in the BGAN Solutions Guide. The Solutions Guide is designed to help you make the most of your BGAN terminal. Other documents in the series are available for download from www.inmarsat.com/bgan. Click on BGAN support, then click on How to guides.

This Web site also gives further information on the BGAN service, including Industry solutions.

• For help in using BGAN LaunchPad, refer to “BGAN LaunchPad Help”, available from within BGAN LaunchPad by clicking Help > LaunchPad Help.

• For further information on the EXPLORER 500 terminal, refer to the “EXPLORER 500 User Manual”, supplied in PDF format on the Thrane & Thrane CD.

1.3. Upgrading software

• To download the latest USB drivers and BGAN LaunchPad software, go to

www.inmarsat.com/bgan-updates.

• To obtain the latest terminal firmware, contact your distributor.

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2.0. Introducing the terminal

This section introduces the physical characteristics, interfaces and services available on the Thrane & Thrane EXPLORER

500 (called the EXPLORER 500 in the rest of this document).

2.1. Physical characteristics

Item Specification

Manufacturer

Physical dimensions

Weight (including battery)

External power

Battery life

Ingress protection IP 54

2.2. Interfaces

Interface Equipment needed

LAN 10/100BASE-T

Thrane & Thrane

Approx. 218 mm x 216 mm x 52 mm (8.6 in. x 8.5in. x 2in.)

<1.4 kg (3.1 lbs)

10-16 Volts DC, 100-240 Volts AC (47-63Hz)

Standard call: 3 hrs. Premium voice: 1 hr 30 mins. Download streaming 128kbps: 3 hrs 30 mins. Upload streaming 128kbps: 2 hrs 15 mins.

IP data device, LAN-enabled

USB v1.1 IP data device, USB-enabled or ISDN data

Phone/fax RJ11 RJ11 handset, G3 fax machine

Bluetooth v1.2 Bluetooth handset, or Bluetooth data

2.3. Services

Services Specification

Standard IP data

Streaming IP data 32kbps, 64kbps, 128kbps (symmetrical)

Phone/fax Standard (4kbps) or Premium (3.1kHz,

ISDN data Via USB

Text To other BGAN terminals or cellular

device, USB-enabled

device

Up to 464/448kbps (send and receive)

64kbps over an ISDN channel)

mobile phones. From other BGAN terminals, and some

mobile phones, depending on service provider.

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3.0. Setting up the terminal

This section explains how to set up the EXPLORER 500 terminal and connect to the BGAN network. The steps described are:

1. Installing BGAN LaunchPad on your computer.

2. Installing the SIM card and battery.

3. Obtaining power and charge the battery.

4. Obtaining a GPS fix.

5. Connecting the terminal to your computer. Inmarsat recommends that when first setting up you use either:

• the LAN interface, or

• the USB interface.

If you use USB, you must first install the supplied drivers.

6. Pointing the terminal and register with the BGAN network.

Pre-requisites

Before you start, make sure that you have:

• The BGAN terminal.

• The rechargeable battery, supplied with the terminal.

• A USIM card, supplied by your Service Provider.

• The Ethernet cable supplied with the terminal, or the USB cable mounted with a Mini-B

connector supplied with the terminal, depending on how you want to connect the terminal to your computer.

• The BGAN LaunchPad installation CD, supplied with the terminal. Make sure that the PC or Mac has the minimum system requirements for BGAN LaunchPad (refer to page 5 for details).

• The USB drivers supplied on your installation CD, if you intend to connect to your computer using USB.

• A Bluetooth-enabled computer, with a supported profile, if you intend to connect using Bluetooth.

• Optionally, a wireless router or wireless access point, if you intend to use a wireless connection.

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Minimum system requirements for BGAN LaunchPad

The following are the minimum hardware and software requirements for using BGAN LaunchPad to manage the EXPLORER 500 on your computer.

Hardware requirements

You must have the following on your computer:

• Support for at least one of these interfaces – USB, LAN or Bluetooth.

• Intel Pentium III CPU, or equivalent.

• 100Mb of free hard disk space.

• 128Mb of RAM.

• CD-ROM drive.

Operating systems

You must have one of the following operating systems on your computer:

• Microsoft Windows 2000 with SP4.

• Microsoft Windows XP with SP2.

• Linux Red Hat 9 - KDE 3.1.10 (Kernel Version 20.4.20-8).

• Mac 10.x

3.1. Installing BGAN LaunchPad

To install BGAN LaunchPad on your computer:

1. Insert the BGAN LaunchPad Installation CD into your computer's CD-ROM drive.

2. Follow the on-screen instructions.

3.2. Installing the SIM card and battery

To get the terminal ready for connection:

1. Remove the battery and insert the SIM card provided by your Service Provider into the SIM slot, with the gold contacts facing towards the back of the terminal, as shown below.

2. Press the SIM card gently until it clicks into place.

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3. Slide the lock to close the SIM slot.

4. Take the battery and position it as shown below.

5. Press gently until it snaps into place.

3.3. Powering on and charging the battery

To power on the terminal using the power adapter, with the terminal switched off:

1. Insert the power adapter output connector to the DC power input jack on the back of the terminal, as shown below.

2. Insert the plug end into any AC outlet between 100 and 240 VAC.

NOTE: The battery charges automatically whenever the terminal is connected to the

power source.

To ensure accurate information on battery capacity, Thrane & Thrane recommends that you fully charge, then fully discharge the battery (until the terminal closes down automatically), and finally charge the battery again before using the terminal for the first time.

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The terminal can be used during the discharging process, but the remaining battery capacity may not be displayed accurately in the BGAN LaunchPad status bar.

3.4. Obtaining a GPS fix

NOTE: You must install a SIM card before you can obtain a GPS fix.

The BGAN network requires a valid GPS fix to successfully register your BGAN terminal.

1. Take the EXPLORER 500 outside, open the stand so that the terminal antenna is facing upwards, and place the unit on a flat surface with an open view of the sky. The following diagram shows the location of the GPS antenna in the terminal:

2. Switch the unit on using the power button on the left of the display. The EXPLORER 500 automatically searches for a GPS fix when first powered on.

3. You may be prompted to enter a PIN code. Press C to cancel the PIN code prompt, (you do not need to enter a PIN code to obtain a GPS fix).

4. Leave the terminal to acquire a GPS fix. This may take a few minutes. To check the terminal’s GPS status, enter the PROPERTIES > GPS STATUS menu on the terminal’s display panel.

• If the terminal has a GPS fix, and the position can be displayed, the position is shown in

the display, in the format shown below:

• If the terminal has a GPS fix, but the position cannot be displayed the word

ACQUIRED is displayed. The position may not be displayed because it is not

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permitted in this location, or because the terminal is not yet registered on the BGAN network. However, you can still use your terminal even if you cannot view the GPS fix location.

• If the terminal does not have a GPS fix, the display shows almanac data, which is a

series of vertical bars giving the status of 16 GPS satellites.

About GPS

The Global Positioning System (GPS) uses 24 orbital satellites to fix the position of the terminal anywhere on the globe.

• In normal operation, a GPS receiver, such as that built in to the Terminal, needs to be able to receive signals from at least three satellites so that it can then calculate latitude, a longitude and an altitude – this position fix is referred to as a 3-dimensional or 3-D fix. If only two GPS satellites can be seen by the GPS receiver, then the last available altitude measurement is assumed and the GPS receiver calculates a position fix based on latitude and longitude only. This simpler position fix is referred to as a 2-dimensional or 2-D fix and is quicker and easier to obtain than a 3-D fix, but may be less accurate.

NOTE: You can register with the BGAN network with a 2-D or a 3-D fix.

• The GPS receiver may take between a few seconds and 20 minutes to obtain a GPS fix, depending on how frequently the GPS receiver is being used. The frequency of use determines the how quickly the GPS Terminal is able to start. o Hot start - if the GPS receiver is being used frequently, (that is, at least every two to

six hours), it is regularly updated with data from the GPS satellites, and so only takes a short time to obtain a GPS fix after being switched on.

o Warm start - if a GPS receiver has not been used for more than six hours, then it

will take longer to obtain a GPS fix, perhaps up to 45 seconds.

o Cold start - if the GPS receiver has not been used for some time or is 300 km or

more from where it was last used, it can take between 10 and 20 minutes to obtain a valid position fix.

• Following successful registration and providing the Terminal is left switched on and remains stationary, the GPS is no longer needed. Periodically, the BGAN terminal contacts the BGAN network to inform the network that it is still switched on. In addition, the BGAN network periodically checks each terminal for activity, and if there has been no traffic through the terminal, and the terminal has not automatically contacted the BGAN network as described above, then the terminal will be de-registered from the network.

3.5. Connecting the terminal to your computer

When you first connect the terminal to your computer, Inmarsat recommends that you use either the LAN or USB interface.

TIP: USB can operate over a distance of up to 5m with standard cables. Ethernet can

operate over a distance of up to 100m with standard Ethernet cables.

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Roadpost Thrane Explorer 500 User Guide

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual